Brigades choose new leader in Gippsland

Group Officer Walter Aich congratulates newly elected Group Officer Rob Higgins.

 

The South Gippsland Group of fire brigades has elected a new team to lead group for the next two years.

 

The group includes Inverloch, Pound Creek, Tarwin Lower and District, Fish Creek and District, Yanakie, Foster, Toora, Welshpool, Hedley, Dumbalk, Milford, and Meeniyan-Stony Creek brigades and Port Welshpool Coast Guard.

Outgoing Group Officer Walter Aich reflected on his tenure at the helm.

“The group was formally founded on July 1, 2015 after the formation of District 27 – five groups in District 9 were amalgamated into three,” Walter said.

This presented various challenges and Walter, as the inaugural Group Officer of the new South Gippsland Group, identified complex operational challenges and landscapes. He built relationships with with Parks Victoria, Forest Fire Management Victoria, brigades and councils.

He also voiced concerns and celebrated successes, encouraged participation in training and skill development, and built strike teams for interstate and local deployments.

“I am encouraged by and grateful for the members who have made very positive comments about the achievements of the group over the past nine years,” Walter said, on the day he handed over the white helmet to incoming Group Officer Rob Higgins.

“It was always my intent to leave a legacy of enhanced operational capacity, unity of purpose and understanding and good governance. I believe that we have made significant strides in that direction.

“I would like to thank all who have been part of the journey, members of brigades and the group management team who challenged and supported us.”

New Group Officer Rob Higgins, former principal at Leongatha Primary School and Inverloch brigade member, is joined on the management team by Sean Taylor (Yanakie), James McIntyre (Foster), David Grylls (Welshpool), Justin Griffin (Meeniyan-Stony Creek), Alan Wright (Fish Creek & District), Ray Argento (Toora) and Secretary Joy Hill (Tarwin Lower & District).

 

Submitted by	Danika Dent